Information display apparatus with proximity detection performance and information display method using the same

ABSTRACT

An information display apparatus with proximity detection performance contains a display device that displays image information, a sensor constituted of plural detection electrodes, and an adjusting device of detection resolution that adjusts the detection resolution to be detected based on a distance between the sensor and an object that is contacted to any one of the detection electrodes.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplications Nos. JP2006-280733 and JP2007-233361 filed in the JapanesePatent Office on Oct. 13, 2006 and Sep. 7, 2007, the entire contents ofwhich being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information display apparatus and aninformation display method using the same. More particularly, it relatesto an information display panel and the like.

2. Description of Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 2005-275644 and 2006-23904disclose plate-like information display apparatuses using liquid crystaldisplay elements or the like. In the information display apparatuses, atransparent touch sensor is mounted on a surface of each of theirdisplay panels and by touching the touch sensor with a finger of a useror the like, any contents in a menu displayed on the surface of each oftheir display panels may be selected and an operation relative to aparticular button may be realized.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-275644 also disclosessuch a technology that by only a light touch to the touch sensor, thistouch of a user can be detected. Japanese Patent Application PublicationNo. 2006-23904 also discloses a low-profiled touch panel of capacitancetype having a structure with an excellent durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In both of the information display apparatuses disclosed in the JapanesePatent Application Publications Nos. 2005-275644 and 2006-23904,however, the user selects and fixes any displayed information bytouching the touch sensor. In this moment, in both of the informationdisplay apparatuses, user's finger or the like perfectly touch the touchsensor to select and fix any displayed information. Since theinformation display apparatuses are not sensitive before the touchsensor has been touched by a finger or the like, no display of theinformation displayed on the display panel alters at all before theuser's finger or the like has touched the touch sensor.

It is desirable to provide an information display apparatus withproximity detection performance and an information display method usingthe same, by which not only a contact of an object to a surface of thepanel sensor can be particularly detected, of course, but a spatialposition of the object opposite to the surface of the panel sensor canbe also detected.

Accordingly, it is possible to realize a new information display thathas not created before if display of the information alterscorresponding to a distance between a finger or the like and the touchsensor when the finger or the like gets close the surface of the touchsensor to some extent to select any displayed information by the fingeror the like, not touches the touch sensor.

For example, any interactive display can be realized. If the distancebetween the finger and the touch sensor is set to a first distance (afirst detection space), an already displayed image (icons or the like)is automatically get close to a center of the display screen when thefinger reaches to this first detection space. When the finger furtherreaches to a second distance (a second detection space), only an imagedisplayed near a point to which the finger gets close is selectivelydisplayed and magnified. When the finger then contacts the surface ofthe touch sensor, only an image displayed on a portion of the displayscreen including the contact point is selected.

In order to realize such the display, it is preferable to detect notonly the contact point but also the spatial position of the finger (anobject to be detected and allowing selection of displayed information)positioned just above the display panel. In this moment, a detectionresolution obtained by taking only the contact point into considerationis insufficient. The detection resolution, as well known, is determinedby interval between the electrodes in an array of the touch sensor.

If a position of a finger facing a two-dimensional plane, namely, aspatial position of the finger is detected, it is not necessary todetect as far as a position of the display panel just under the finger(a projection of the finger). It is sufficient to detect a roughposition of the two-dimensional plane (a projection thereof) when theposition of the finger is projected into the surface of the displaypanel (two-dimensional plane). Accordingly, the information displayapparatus may be so controlled that as it gets away from the projection,the detection resolution is made lowest but as it gets close to theprojection, the detection resolution is made highest.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan information display apparatus with proximity detection performance.The information display apparatus contains a display device thatdisplays image information, a sensor constituted of plural detectionelectrodes, and an adjusting device of detection resolution that adjuststhe detection resolution to be detected based on a distance between thesensor and an object to be contacted to any one of the detectionelectrodes.

As the display device, a two-dimensional display device such as LCD anda transparent organic electroluminescence (EL) is used. The sensor oftwo-dimensional plane such as a panel sensor is provided in connectionwith the display device.

The sensor is constituted of plural detection electrodes. The pluraldetection electrodes are arranged on the two-dimensional plane. How toarrange them is optional. In general, they are arranged in matrix toallow them to detect the object uniformly.

The sensor may be integral with the display device with the sensor beingadhered to a surface of the display device. The sensor may be separatedfrom the display device so that they can be used with them beingisolated from each other. Either of such the configurations is selectedin response to a use of the information display apparatus.

The sensor contains a panel sensor of capacitance detection type thatspecifies a position in the two-dimensional plane based on anydifference in capacitance. It is possible to detect not only a contactpoint of a user's finger to a surface of the two dimensional plane, butalso a position (a spatial position) of the finger opposite to the twodimensional plane. Detection resolution for the finger as the object tobe detected is variable. The detection resolution is determined by adetection interval by the electrodes constituting the sensor.

An adjusting device of detection resolution adjusts the detectionresolution by thinning out number of the electrodes that contribute tothe detection electrodes (expanding the detection interval by thedetection electrodes) electrically based on a finger's spatial position.The detection resolution is specifically made loose when finger'sspatial position is away from the two-dimensional plane. Adjusting thedetection resolution in response to an approach of the finger to thetwo-dimensional plane enables to be detected the finger's spatialposition in a space from a position away from the two-dimensional planein some extent to the contact point of the two-dimensional plane thatthe finger actually contacts.

The detectable space (the space between the sensor and the finger)varies based on the detection interval by the detection electrodes. Thelarger the detection interval by the electrodes that actually contributeto the detection electrodes is increased, the larger the detection spacemay be secured. This detection interval by the electrodes varies inresponse to a use of the information display apparatus. If the detectioninterval by the electrodes is narrowed, the detection space becomesabout 5 through 10 cm while if the detection interval by the electrodesis increased, the detection space can be formed to about one meter.

As the detection electrodes, transparent wired electrodes, pointelectrodes or the like are used. In any of the following embodiments,the detection electrodes are arranged in matrix and used. Each of thepoint electrodes is constituted of a coil and a capacitor, which areconnected to each other in parallel, and an oscillator that is arrangednear the coil and the capacitor.

The adjusting device of detection resolution adjusts the detectionresolution by detecting variation in the capacitance between the sensorand an object (a fingertip or the like) to be detected. In specificterms, the variation in the capacitance is converted into a variation infrequency and the variation in frequency is changed to voltage so thatthe detection resolution can be adjusted based on a magnitude of adetected voltage.

It is preferable that a detection sensitivity of any detectionelectrodes is adjusted in connection with adjustment of the detectionresolution. For example, the detection sensitivity is adjusted as to bedesensitized in accordance with shortening a distance (opposed distance)between the two-dimensional plane and the fingertip. This is because itis difficult to detect the spatial position of the fingertip set asbeing within a sensitive range if setting the detection sensitivity tobe increased to some extent and it is difficult to detect any nearspatial position or a contact point itself by oscillation ifdesensitizing the detection sensitivity in accordance with shorteningthe distance between the two-dimensional plane and the fingertip.

The spatial position may be detected successively or gradually. In acase where the spatial position is gradually detected, for example, thedistance between the two-dimensional plane and the fingertip includingthe contact point is classified into three stages (first through thirddetection spaces) and in each space, any adjustment and/or displaycontrol vary.

If detecting a position of the fingertip over the two-dimensional plane,a display of the information (image) displayed on the two-dimensionaldisplay device is controlled based on a motion of the fingertip. Thus,detecting a position of the fingertip in any detection spaces, and amotion and a locus of the fingertip enables an information displayapparatus with proximity detection performance and the like to beprovided, by which a display of information displayed on thetwo-dimensional display device may be controlled.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an information display apparatus with proximity detectionperformance. This information display apparatus contains a displaydevice that displays image information, a sensor constituted of adetection electrode, the sensor being provided on a surface of thedisplay device, and an adjusting device of detection resolution thatadjusts the detection resolution to be detected based on a distancebetween the sensor and an object that is connected to any one of thedetection electrodes. The image information displayed on the displaydevice is controlled in its size, motion, and rotation direction basedon any one of a movement of the object and the distance between thesensor and the object.

According to further embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an information display apparatus with proximity detectionperformance. This information display apparatus contains a displaydevice that displays image information, a sensor of capacitance typethat is constituted of plural detection electrodes, the sensor beingprovided on a surface of the display device, a control device thatcontrols output of each of the detection electrodes, and anadministration device that administrates activation or non-activation ofeach of the detection electrodes. If the sensor of capacitance typedetects no object, the control device controls the output of each of thedetection electrodes to increase the output to their maximum and theadministration device performs processing to make detection interval bythe detection electrodes maximum. If the sensor of capacitance typedetects the object, the control device controls the output of each ofthe detection electrodes to decrease the output based on the distancebetween the detected object and each of the detection electrodes and theadministration device performs processing to make detection interval bythe detection electrodes narrower.

According to additional embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an information display method of displaying information. Thismethod contains the steps of detecting a distance between a sensor andan object by a sensor relative to a display device, adjusting detectionresolution of the sensor based on the distance between the sensor andthe object, and controlling display state of the image informationdisplayed on the display device in its size, motion, and rotationdirection based on a motion of the object and the distance between thesensor and the object.

According to the above-mentioned embodiments of the invention, it ispossible to detect not only a contact of the object to a set surface ofthe sensor that is arranged in panel particularly, of course, but also aspatial position of the object opposite to the set surface of thesensor. It is also possible to control the display state with thedetection resolution being adjusted in response to the spatial positionof the object.

Accordingly, adjusting the detection resolution in response to thespatial position of the object enables a motion of the object to besurely detected. Detecting the motion of the object enables the displayof the information to be controlled in response to the motion of theobject within a space up to the contact to the sensor, thereby realizinga new interactive display of the information.

The concluding portion of this specification particularly points out anddirectly claims the subject matter of the present invention. Howeverthose skills in the art will best understand both the organization andmethod of operation of the invention, together with further advantagesand objects thereof, by reading the remaining portions of thespecification in view of the accompanying drawing(s) wherein likereference characters refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an example of a display panel, which isused in an embodiment of an information display apparatus with proximitydetection Performance according to the invention, for showing animportant portion thereof;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the display panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for showing an object in a detectionspace;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating a detection resolution (No. 1);

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a detection resolution (No. 2);

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating a detection resolution (No. 3);

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams each for showing a relationshipbetween a detection space and a detection level of the object;

FIG. 8 is a table for showing a relationship of detection spaces,detection levels, detection sensitivities, and detection resolutions;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for showing a configuration of an importantportion relative to an embodiment of an information display apparatuswith proximity detection performance according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for showing an embodiment of a display process;

FIGS. 11A through 11F are diagrams each for illustrating a firstdisplay-controlling example;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams each for illustrating a seconddisplay-controlling example (No. 1);

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams each for illustrating the seconddisplay-controlling example (No. 2);

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams each for illustrating the seconddisplay-controlling example (No. 3);

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams each for illustrating the seconddisplay-controlling example (No. 4);

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams each for illustrating the seconddisplay-controlling example (No. 5-1);

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams each for illustrating the seconddisplay-controlling example (No. 5-2);

FIG. 18 is a plan view of another embodiment of an information displayapparatus with proximity detection performance according to theinvention, in which point electrodes are used as the detectionelectrodes;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an example of a display device, which isused in the above-mentioned another embodiment of an information displayapparatus with proximity detection performance according to theinvention, for showing an important portion thereof;

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of the point electrodes;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of an important portion of the above-mentionedanother embodiment of an information display apparatus with proximitydetection performance according to the invention when an object stays ina second detection space in a case where the point electrodes are usedas the detection electrodes;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of an important portion of the above-mentionedanother embodiment of an information display apparatus with proximitydetection performance according to the invention when an object stays ina first detection space in a case where the point electrodes are used asthe detection electrodes;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram for showing an important portion of theabove-mentioned another embodiment of an information display apparatuswith proximity detection performance according to the invention when thepoint electrodes are used;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram for showing an important portion of theabove-mentioned another embodiment of an information display apparatuswith proximity detection performance according to the invention when asensor is configured as to be separated from a display device;

FIG. 25 is a conceptual diagram for showing a case where theabove-mentioned another embodiment of the information display apparatusin which the point electrodes are used is attached to a display window;

FIG. 26 is a front view of the display window shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a front view of the display window for showing another case;

FIG. 28 is a front view of the display window for showing further case;and

FIG. 29 is a conceptual diagram for showing a case where theabove-mentioned another embodiment of the information display apparatusin which the point electrodes are used is attached to an automatic door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following will describe the preferred embodiments of an informationdisplay apparatus with proximity detection performance and aninformation display method using the same according to the inventioninto details with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As an embodiment, the information display apparatus with integralconfiguration in which a panel sensor is adhered to a surface of thedisplay device will be described. In this information display apparatus,as the detection electrodes of the sensor, the transparent wiredelectrodes and the point electrodes are respectively used.

As another embodiment, the information display apparatus with separateconfiguration in which a sensor is separated from the display devicewill be described. In this information display apparatus, as thetwo-dimensional display element used in the display device, atransparent organic EL through which a back side thereof can be seenwhen the display apparatus is not activated is illustratively used. Asthe detection electrodes of the sensor, the point electrodes areillustratively used.

The following will first describe an information display apparatus towhich the invention is applicable. FIG. 1 shows an important portion ofa display panel 10 that is a main body of an information displayapparatus 1 with proximity detection performance according to anembodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a plan view thereof.

The display panel 10 has two-dimensional display element 12. As thetwo-dimensional display element 12, liquid crystal display (LCD)element, organic electroluminescence (EL) element, plasma displayelement or the like is used. A display size of the display panel 10 isdetermined according to its type such as portable type or stationarytype. In this embodiment, LCD having a size of 15 through 20 inches isused.

A protection board 14 is adhered to a back side of the two-dimensionaldisplay element 12. A sensor 20 is provided on a front side of thetwo-dimensional display element 12. The sensor 20 acts as atwo-dimensional touch sensor (panel sensor). The sensor 20 has such aconfiguration that any transparent two-dimensional electrodes 22 as thedetection electrodes are sandwiched between two thin transparent plateglasses 24, 26 as dielectrics.

The two-dimensional electrodes 22 may be constituted of wired electrodes(transparent electrodes) or a transparent electric conductive layer. Inthis embodiment, the two-dimensional electrodes 22 are constituted ofwired electrodes. The two-dimensional electrodes 22 has a plurality ofhorizontal electrodes (detection electrodes for horizontal axis) 22H aswired electrodes that are arranged horizontally with a predetermineddistance therebetween and a plurality of vertical electrodes (detectionelectrodes for vertical axis) 22V as wired electrodes that are arrangedvertically with a same distance therebetween as that of the horizontalelectrodes 22H, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the two-dimensional electrodes22 have such a configuration that the horizontal and vertical electrodes22H, 22V can be arranged in matrix with them intersecting.

A common terminal 23H for the plural horizontal electrodes 22H and acommon terminal 23V for the plural vertical electrodes 22V arerespectively derived from respective ends of the plate glass 26. Anyhigh-frequency signal for detecting a position is applied to thesecommon terminals 23H, 23V alternately, which will be described later.

The display panel 10, which is constituted of the two-dimensionaldisplay element 12 and the sensor 20, acts as information display deviceand a touch sensor of capacitance type. When an information signal(image signal) is supplied to the two-dimensional display element 12,the two-dimensional display element 12 displays this information. When auser touches the sensor 20, he or she can perform a selection and/or adisplay of any corresponding information.

Because of the display panel 10 of capacitance type, the display panel10 acts as a sensor with proximity detection performance. In otherwords, by contacting a fingertip or the like to a surface 10 a of thedisplay panel 10, it is possible to specify coordinates of a contactPoint S3 based on values of pieces of capacitance (actually, variationof frequency) of the horizontal and vertical electrodes 22H, 22V at thecontact point S3.

In addition thereto, according to the embodiment of this invention, whenthe fingertip (any specific member, any mobile member may be approval)as an object faces the display panel 10 in a space S upon atwo-dimensional plane of the surface 10 a of the display panel 10, adistance L of the fingertip from the surface 10 a of the display panel10 generates a detection space for detecting the fingertip. As shown inFIG. 3, when the fingertip stays away from the surface 10 a of thedisplay panel 10 exceeding a distance Lp, a dead area (non-detectionarea) A1 is generated while when the fingertip stays away from thesurface 10 a of the display panel 10 not exceeding the distance Lp, asensitive area (detection area) A2 in which a position of the fingertipcan be sensed is generated. It is determined by detecting the fingertipfacing the surface 10 a of the display panel 10 as a variation ofcapacitance whether is the detection area A2 or the non-detection areaA1. The higher the detection sensitivity on the capacitance isincreased, the longer the distance Lp can be set.

The detection area varies based on a detection interval by the detectionelectrodes. The larger the detection interval by the electrodes thatactually contribute to the detection electrodes is increased, the longerthe detection area may be detected. This detection interval by theelectrodes varies in response to a use of the information displayapparatus. If the detection interval by the electrodes is narrow, thedetection area A2 becomes about 5 through 10 cm while if the detectioninterval by the electrodes is increased, the detection area A2 can beformed to about one meter. If it is supposed that the invention isapplied to a compact portable display device, as the above example, suchthe distance Lp is designed so that the detection area A2 can becomeabout 5 through 10 cm.

It is preferred that a spatial position of the fingertip can besuccessively measured in an area up to the contact point S3 where thefinger contacts the surface 10 a of the display panel 10. In thisembodiment, for the convenience, the detection area is classified intosome detection spaces S1, S2, and S3 based on the distance L. The firstdetection space S1 indicates a space from the distance Lq to thedistance Lp. If Lp=10 cm, the distance Lq is selected as to become about5 cm.

The second detection space S2 indicates a space from the vicinity ofzero to the distance Lq, In this embodiment, the third detection space(detection point) indicates a contact point S3 to the surface 10 a ofthe display panel 10.

A spatial position to be detected is determined by a detectionresolution (a detection resolution for position). The detectionresolution is generally determined by a detection interval by thedetection electrodes. The shorter the detection interval by thedetection electrodes is made, the higher the detection resolution isincreased. Such the detection resolution has been fixed.

According to the embodiment of the invention, the spatial position to bedetected stays in an area over the surface 10 a of the display panel 10including the surface 10 a of the display panel 10. If the fingertipstays at a position in the space, capacitance on the two-dimensionalplane varies in the space. It, however, is less necessary to project thespatial position thereof into the two-dimensional plane in the surface10 a of the display panel accurately and to detect such the projectedpoint as a detection point. This is because there are many cases whereit is sufficient that some regions including the projected point can bedetected.

Thus, it is not necessary that the detection resolution is so set as tobecome very higher. Actually, it is preferred that the detectionresolution is set as to be at least the interval between the detectionelectrodes or less, in order to detect the contact point S3 in thesurface 10 a of the display panel 10.

By taking this into consideration, it is preferred to select thedetection resolution according to the spatial positions. The detectionresolution is not continuously controlled so that it can be switched tothe detection resolutions corresponding to the spatial positions asshown in FIG. 3. In other words, the detection resolution may beadjusted by stages.

In a case as shown in FIG. 3, the detection resolutions are switched bythree stages based on the detection spaces S1, S2, and S3. The detectionresolutions can be switched by thinning out the horizontal and verticalelectrodes 22H, 22V constituting the sensor 20.

In order to make the detection resolution highest, an interval ofadjacent detection electrodes can be detected. In this moment, theminimum detection region is a detection interval by the detectionelectrodes so that the sensor 20 is thick with coordinate points to bedetected, which are shown by circles in FIG. 4. This is referred to as“the highest detection resolution”.

In order to make the detection resolution higher, some electrodes areelectrically thinned out of the sensor 20 shown in FIG. 4. For example,as shown in FIG. 5, the sensor 20 is configured so that the horizontaland vertical electrodes 22H, 22V are respectively thinned out everyother electrode. In this moment, the minimum detection region isexpanded four times, so the detection resolution is deteriorated. Thisis referred to as “the middle detection resolution”. It is possible torealize that number of the detection electrodes, which contribute to thedetection electrodes, is thinned out by any electric processing.

If many detection electrodes are thinned out and the sensor 20 isconfigured so that the horizontal and vertical electrodes 22H, 22V arerespectively formed every third electrode, as shown in FIG. 6, theminimum detection region is further expanded than that shown in FIG. 5.This enables the detection resolution to become lowest, which isreferred to as “the lowest detection resolution”.

Accordingly, when an object (fingertip) gradually approaches toward thesurface 10 a of the display panel 10, it is possible to narrow thedetection region gradually by switching the detection resolutionsuccessively from the highest one to the lowest one gradually based onthe distance between the sensor and the object.

An adjusting device of detection resolution adjusts the detectionresolution by detecting a variation in capacitance between the sensor 20and the object. Particularly, the variation in the capacitance isconverted to a variation in the frequency and this variation in thefrequency is changed to voltage, so that the detection resolution can beadjusted based on magnitude of the voltage, which will be describedlater.

The detection resolution is highest when the fingertip or the likecontacts a surface 10 a of the display panel 10, namely, a surface ofthe plate glass 26, at a position shown as x point in FIG. 4 (in thethird detection space S3) so that the highest output voltage is obtainedfrom the contact point S3. Output voltages of a total of six detectionelectrodes such as horizontal electrodes “a” through “f” that arepositioned horizontally with the contact point S3 being set as theirmiddle, as shown in FIG. 4, have such an output property that thecontact point S3 has a highest level and the electrodes “a” through “f”have levels with these electrodes having gradually decreased levelsdepending on their interval from the contact point S3 as shown in FIG.7C. Thus, detecting such the magnitude of levels enables the contactpoint S3 to be specified.

In the second detection space S2, the sensor 20 has a configuration tohave the detection interval by the detection electrodes as shown in FIG.5. Since the fingertip does not contact the surface 10 a of the displaypanel 10, levels of the output voltages obtained from the horizontalelectrodes “a” through “f”, which are near a point just below thefingertip (a projection point of the fingertip to the surface 10 a ofthe display panel 10), are decreased to some extent (see FIG. 7B). Evenif the levels are decreased, the maximum voltage value thereof is outputfrom any horizontal electrodes near the projection point of thefingertip, so that a region including the projection point can bedetected based on difference between the levels.

In the first detection space S1, the sensor 20 has a configuration tohave the detection interval of the detection electrodes as shown in FIG.6. Levels of the output voltages obtained from the horizontal electrodes“a” through “f”, which are near the projection point of the fingertip tothe surface 10 a of the display panel 10, are further decreased so thatthese levels has a relationship as shown in FIG. 7A.

As a result thereof, if detection sensitivity is fixed irrespective ofthe detection spaces, the detection tends to be made difficult in thefirst detection space S1, the detection distance of which is awayfarthest from the sensor 20. In order to be able to detect a position ofthe fingertip even in the first detection space S1 when obtainingsufficient voltage, it is sufficient to enhance the detectionsensitivity. If so, however, any oscillation may occur because thedetection interval by the detection electrodes narrows in accordancewith approach of the fingertip to the surface 10 a of the display panel10 so that the detection sensitivity is increased and in proportionthereto, output voltage is also increased. Therefore, it is preferredthat the detection sensitivity ideally may be also controlled based onthe detection spaces.

FIG. 8 shows a relationship of the detection level, the detectionsensitivity, the detection resolution (thinned-out number of theelectrodes) in contrast to the detection spaces.

Detection level when the fingertip enters into the detection space (thefirst detection space S1) is compared with a first threshold level(reference 1). An initial value of the detection sensitivity is set toits maximum value (maximum gain). Similarly, thinned-out number of theelectrodes is set to maximum and the detection resolution is set tolowest one (minimum). When the detection is performed while thefingertip stays in the first detection space S1, the detection level islowest.

since the fingertip approaches from the first detection space S1 to thesecond detection space S2, a second threshold level of the detectionlevel when the fingertip is transferred to the second detection space S2is set to reference 2. It is determined that the fingertip approaches tothe second detection space S2 when the detection level exceeds thesecond threshold level (reference 2). The detection level is increased.Any gain adjustment is performed so that the detection sensitivity canbecome middle. At the same time, the thinned-out number of theelectrodes is decreased to enhance the detection resolution to itsmiddle level.

In this condition, a locus of the fingertip is detected. When thefingertip reaches the third detection space S3 where the fingertipcontacts the surface 10 a of the display panel 10 finally, the detectionlevel in this moment exceeds a third threshold level (reference 3). Whenthe detection level exceeds the third threshold level, any gainadjustment is performed so that the detection sensitivity can becomelowest. At the same time, the thinning-out processing of the electrodesstops and the contact point is detected with the detection resolutionbeing kept highest.

Thus, the position of the fingertip (object) that stays in apredetermined detection space including a two-dimensional plane of thesurface 10 a of the display panel from the two-dimensional plane can besurely detected.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a process block 30 in an embodiment ofthe information display apparatus with proximity detection performanceaccording to the invention, by which such the detection process can berealized.

In this embodiment, the detection of the contact point and theprojection points in the horizontal electrodes 22H is performedseparately from that in the vertical electrodes 22V. Based on anydetected values therefrom, the contact point and the projection pointscan be detected.

It is conceivable that an equivalent circuit 220H on the horizontalelectrodes 22H may be an oscillation circuit (a distributed constantcircuit) constituted of inductance LH, resistance RH, and capacitor CH.Value of the capacitor CH varies based on the position of the fingertip(from the contact point and the projection points). This variation isdetected as a variation of frequency fh. The frequency fh is calculatedaccording to a following expression (1):

fh=1/(2π√{square root over ((LH*CH))})  (1)

Similarly, an equivalent circuit 220V on the vertical electrodes 22 vmay be an oscillation circuit (a distributed constant circuit)constituted of inductance LH, resistance RH, and capacitor CH. Thevariation of the capacitance CV based on the position of the fingertipcan be obtained as the variation of the frequency fv.

An alternating-signal source 34H that is directly connected to the bias32H is connected as driving source to a common terminal 23H of theequivalent circuit 220H (actually, the horizontal electrodes 22H)through a first switch 36H. The frequency fh in the equivalent circuit220H on the horizontal electrodes 22H varies based on the position ofthe fingertip (from the contact point and the projection points), asdescribed above.

The obtained frequency fh is supplied to a frequency-voltage (F/V)conversion circuit 40H where the frequency is converted to any voltagecorresponding to a value of the frequency fh. This F/V conversioncircuit 40H has also any gain adjustment performance. Adjusting the gainenables the detection sensitivity of a side of the horizontal electrodes22H to be adjusted consequently. Voltage Vh after conversion (detectedvoltage) is supplied to a control unit 50 constituted of CPU and thelike.

A similar detection system is also provided to the vertical electrodes22V. Accordingly, an alternating-signal source 34V that is directlyconnected to the bias 32 v is connected to a common terminal 23V of theequivalent circuit 220 v (actually, the vertical electrodes 22V) througha second switch 36V.

The obtained frequency fv is supplied to a frequency-voltage (F/V)conversion circuit 40V where the frequency is converted to any voltagecorresponding to a value of the frequency fv. This F/V conversioncircuit 40V has also any gain adjustment performance. Adjusting the gainenables the detection sensitivity of a side of the vertical electrodes22V to be adjusted consequently. Voltage Vv after conversion (detectedvoltage) is supplied to a control unit 50.

In order to obtain the frequencies fh, fv of the equivalent circuits220H, 220V on the horizontal and vertical electrodes 22H, 22Valternately, the control unit 50 generates a switching signal to switchthe first and second switches 36H, 36V alternately. The control unit 50also generates a control signal Sg to perform the gain adjustment on theF/V conversion circuits 40H, 40V, thereby performing the gain adjustmentby the same amount at the same time. The detection resolutions areswitched coinciding with this gain adjustment.

A memory (for example, read only memory (ROM)) that is provided inconnection with the control unit 50 stores any kinds of plural processprograms to perform the above-mentioned detection process and/or variouskinds of display process. Although the control unit 50 controls adisplay on the display elements 12, any graphic user interface (GUI) 54supplies the display elements 12 with GUI signals and a predetermineddisplay mode is performed therein.

The following will describe an execution procedure of theabove-mentioned detection process (an information display method) withreference to FIG. 10.

In a flowchart shown in FIG. 10, at step 60, an approach of the user'sfingertip (object) is first detected. If the detection level exceeds thereference 1 (the first threshold level), the process goes to a next step61 where a detection interval by the detection electrodes iselectrically limited to narrow so that the detection resolution ischanged to adjust the detection sensitivity. Under this condition, alocus of the fingertip is traced. This is because a display state of adisplayed image on the display element 12 can be controlled based on thetrace signal.

Next, the detection level is checked and if the detection level exceedsthe reference 2 (the second threshold level) at step 62, the detectioninterval by the detection electrodes is adjusted as to be furtherlimited electrically to narrow so that the detection sensitivity isadjusted to decrease its value at step 63. In this moment, a locus ofthe fingertip is also traced so that a displayed image can be controlledbased on the trace signal.

If the detection level exceeds the reference 3 (the third thresholdlevel) at step 64, the detection interval by the detection electrodes isadjusted as to become minimum and the detection resolution is alsoadjusted as to become maximum. While the detection sensitivity is set tolowest, a locus of the fingertip that contacts the surface 10 a of thedisplay panel 10 is then traced at step 65. This is because it isconceivable that a display state of a displayed image may be controlledwhen the fingertip follows the surface 10 a of the display panel 10 withthe fingertip contacting the surface 10 a of the display panel 10.

At the step 65, the detection level is further checked and conversely,if the detection level falls below the reference 3 (the third thresholdlevel) at step 66, it is determined that the fingertip is released fromthe surface 10 a of the display panel 10. In this moment, the detectioninterval by the detection electrodes and the detection sensitivity arereturned to their states in the step 63 and the detection process iscontinued at step 67.

Under the state of the step 67, the detection level is again checked andif the detection level falls below the reference 2 (the second thresholdlevel) at step 68, it is determined that the fingertip is released fromthe detection space S2 over the surface 10 a of the display panel 10. Inthis moment, the detection interval by the detection electrodes isreturned to its maximum and the detection resolution is returned to itsinitial value. Further, the detection sensitivity is also returned toits maximum (initial value), so that the approach of the fingertip canbe detected at the step 60.

At the step 62, if the detection level falls below the reference 2 (thesecond threshold level), it is determined that the fingertip is releasedfrom the surface 10 a of the display panel 10. In this moment, theprocess goes to the step 60. At the step 64, if the detection levelfalls below the reference 3 (the third threshold level), it isdetermined that the fingertip is released from the surface 10 a of thedisplay panel 10. In this moment, the process goes to the step 62.Similarly, at the step 66, if the detection level falls below thereference 3 (the third threshold level), it is determined that thefingertip is released from the surface 10 a of the display panel 10. Inthis moment, the process also goes to the step 62.

The following will describe display process in the information displayapparatus 1 with proximity detection performance according to anembodiment of the invention. Since the spatial position of the fingertipcan be detected over the surface 10 a of the display panel 10 asdescribed above, a display state of information (image) displayed on thedisplay element 12 can be controlled based on the spatial position, amotion of the fingertip, and/or its locus.

Accordingly, the information display apparatus 1 has, in addition to thedisplay device that displays image information, a sensor of capacitancetype that is constituted of plural detection electrode, the sensor beingprovided on a surface of the display device; a control device thatcontrols output of the detection electrodes; and an administrationdevice that administrates activation or non-activation of detectionelectrodes. If the sensor of capacitance type detects no object, thecontrol device controls the output of the detection electrodes toincrease the output to their maximum and the administration deviceperforms processing to make the detection interval by the detectionelectrodes maximum. If the sensor of capacitance type detects theobject, the control device controls the output of the detectionelectrodes to decrease the output based on the distance between thedetected object and the detection electrodes and the administrationdevice performs processing to make the detection interval by thedetection electrodes narrower.

Accordingly, the control unit 50 performs at least the following processsteps (1) through (4) in order to realize the above-mentioned detectionprocess and display process:

(1) a step of detecting the contact point of the fingertip (object) tothe sensor 20 and the spatial position of the fingertip opposite to thesurface 10 a of the display panel 10;

(2) a step of adjusting the detection resolution to be detected based onthe detected spatial position of the fingertip over the surface 10 a ofthe display panel 10;

(3) a step of adjusting the detection sensitivity; and

(4) a step of controlling image information displayed on the displayelement 12 in its size, motion, rotation direction, and the like basedon the detected locus of the fingertip within the detection area.

The following will describe display-controlling examples of the imagedisplayed on the display element 12. It is supposed in each of thedisplay-controlling examples that a display is controlled, which will bedescribed later, while a particular display control program is selectedamong display control programs stored in the memory 52 as shown in FIG.9 and started.

(Display-Controlling Example 1)

FIGS. 11A through 11F show an example where if the fingertip is detectedin the first detection space S1, a display is controlled so that anentire screen is slightly luminous after switching the screen into itsdisplay mode (see FIGS. 11A and 11B). This is one of the control modes,for example, from a sleep mode to the display mode.

If the fingertip approaches the surface 10 a of the display panel 10 andis detected in the second detection space S2, the display is nowcontrolled so that light is focusing around a projection point of thefingertip (see FIGS. 11C and 11D).

If the fingertip contacts the surface 10 a of the display panel 10, apointer is displayed (see FIGS. 11E and 11F).

Thus, in the example shown in FIGS. 11A through 11F, the display iscontrolled by any motion of the fingertip, which is applicable to a casewhere it has been switched to the sleep mode because a particularapplication software has started previously.

(Display-Controlling Example 2)

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an example (NO. 1) where if it is detected that,for example, the fingertip enters into the first detection space S1 withplural icons being represented as circles on both right and left sidesof the screen, the display is controlled so that the icons representedon both sides thereof can be arranged along a circumference of a circlehaving a center, which corresponds to a middle of the screen. When thefingertip contacts a particular icon, application software relative tothis icon can start in response thereto.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example (NO. 2) where if the fingertip rotatesin the second detection space S2, the display is controlled so that theplural icons represented as circles that are arranged along acircumference of a circle having a center, which corresponds to a middleof the screen, as shown in FIG. 12, are also rotated in synchronism withthe rotation direction and the rotation speed of the fingertip along thesame direction (a direction indicated by any arrows shown in FIG. 138)as that of the fingertip.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show an example (NO. 3) where if the fingertipapproaches toward a particular icon to enter into the second detectionspace S2 (see FIG. 14A), the display is controlled so that three iconsincluding this particular icon and in front of and behind the particularicon are expanded and radially displayed from the middle of the screen(see FIG. 14B). In this moment, the fingertip is position at a center ofthe icon.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show an example (NO. 4) where if the fingertip isrotated under the display state shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, the display iscontrolled so that the icons are also rotated along a rotation directionidentical to that of the fingertip (see FIGS. 15A, 15B). This enables auser to display the icon on a representation position that is mostsuitably operated by the user.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 17A and 17B show an example (NO. 5) where if thefingertip contacts the particular icon displayed on the surface 10 a ofthe display panel 10 when display positions thereof alter to make iteasy to select the particular icon under the display state shown inFIGS. 15A, 15B, the display is controlled so that only the particularicon is displayed (see FIGS. 16A, 16B) and this icon is concentrated tothe fingertip (see FIGS. 17A, 17B).

Thus, detecting the spatial position of the fingertip and tracing itslocus enables to be realized any new interactive display that nobody hasbeen experienced until now.

(Another Display-Controlling Example)

A display-controlling example similar to the display-controlling example2, which is not shown, can be provided as follows:

If the fingertip approaches to the first detection space S1 in which thespatial position of the fingertip can be detected, a particular menuscreen is displayed on the two-dimensional display element 12.

If the fingertip moves, for example, rotates in the first detectionspace S1, the menu screen rotates at a rotation speed and a rotationdirection corresponding to the rotation speed and the rotation directionof the fingertip. This rotation does not mean any special something.

If the fingertip further approaches to the surface 10 a of the displaypanel 10 passing through the detection space S1 so that it is determinedthat the fingertip stays in the second detection space S2, the menuscreen is expanded and displayed so that only an image relative to apart of the menu items is displayed. In this case, if the fingertipmoves, the image of this menu item also moves corresponding to itslocus. If the fingertip finally contacts the surface 10 a of the displaypanel 10 on which the particular menu item is displayed at the thirddetection space 93, the menu item displayed on its contact point of thesurface 10 a of the display panel 10 is selected. This enables such theinteractive display control to be realized.

Although the transparent wired electrodes 26H, 26V have been used as thedetection electrodes with them being arranged in matrix, any pointelectrodes may be used in place of the wired electrodes 26H, 26V. FIG.18 shows a display panel 10 used in another embodiment of an informationdisplay apparatus 1 with proximity detection performance according tothe invention, in which the point electrodes are used as the detectionelectrodes.

The point electrodes are arranged so that they are arrayed as m lines byn columns as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an exampleof the display panel 10 using the point electrodes 28, which is used inthe above-mentioned another embodiment of an information displayapparatus 1 with proximity detection performance according to theinvention.

As the display element 12, a transparent two-dimensional display elementsuch an organic EL display element can be used in addition to the LCD.The embodiments following that shown in FIG. 19 use the organic ELdisplay element. The sensor 20 is adhered to a surface of the displayelement 12.

The sensor 20 is configured so that the point electrodes (actually, agroup of the point electrodes) are sandwiched between a pair of theplate glasses 24, 26. The point electrodes 28 are configured as tobecome a variable oscillator in order to act as the sensor ofcapacitance type. Since all of the point electrodes 28 have an identicalconfiguration to each other, a configuration of only a point electrode28A1 will be described.

The point electrode 28A1 is constituted of a coil 80 and a capacitor 81,in this embodiment, a chip coil and a chip capacitance, which areconnected to each other in parallel through an electric conductive layer82 and mounted on a glass substrate 24, to provide a resonance circuit,and an oscillator 85, in this embodiment, a chip oscillator, that isarranged near the capacitor 81, as shown in FIG. 20. They are formed asa variable oscillator as a whole. The oscillator 85 contains a crystaloscillator or a ceramic oscillator and an amplifier relative to them. Tothe oscillator 85, an electric conductive layer 86 having apredetermined length is connected.

A lead electric conductive layer 83A1 is derived from a connection point“p” and it is connected to an output terminal 84A1 provided at an end ofthe sensor 20. A predetermined operating voltage is applied to theoscillator 85 from a voltage terminal 88A1 through an electricconductive layer 87A1 in order to operate the oscillator 85.

Other point electrodes 28A2, 28B1, 28B2, . . . , 28Nm have the sameconfiguration as that of the point electrode 28A1 and output terminals84 (84A1, 84A2, . . . , 84Mn) are respectively derived from all of thepoint electrodes 28. Since the same voltage is applied to each of thepoint electrodes 28, power terminals 88 (88A1, 88A2, . . . , 88Mn) areprovided as a common power terminal.

According to such the configuration, the electric conductive layer 86and the electric conductive layer 82 for parallel connectionrespectively act as antennas so that the oscillator 85, the coil 80, andthe capacitor 81 can be electrically connected to each other.

Thus, the point electrode 28A1 acts as an oscillator and capacitance ofthe capacitor 81 varies based on a position of the fingertip that movestoward the plane glass 26, namely, the surface 10 a of the display panel10, so that an oscillation frequency fh also varies based on theposition of the fingertip. In other words, the point electrode 28A1 actsas a frequency variable oscillator. Its reference oscillation frequencyfo is an oscillation frequency of its oscillator.

It is to be noted that an area 89 indicated by chain lines shown in FIG.20 is a partition plate, which indicates a size of each of the pointelectrodes 28 and acts as a barrier for preventing any oscillationoutput from being unnecessarily radiated to any adjacent pointelectrodes 28. Thus, by the partition plate 89, the adjacent pointelectrodes 28 can detect approach, distance, and contact of thefingertip separately without any interferences to each other. In a caseshown in FIG. 20, the electric conductive layers 82, 86 are connected toeach other.

In the display panel 10 shown in FIG. 18, the detection resolution canbe switched according to approach, distance, and contact of thefingertip. FIG. 18 shows the detection electrodes when it is determinedthat the fingertip stays in the third detection space S3, which have anarrowest detection interval by the detection electrodes.

The detection resolution is adjusted as follows. When it is determinedthat the fingertip stays in the second detection space S2, the number ofelectrodes are electrically thinned out. For example, as shown in FIG.21, the electrodes are used as the detection electrodes every otherelectrode. When it is determined that the fingertip stays in the firstdetection space S1, the electrodes are further thinned out electrically.For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the electrodes are used as thedetection electrodes every third electrode.

FIG. 23 shows an important portion of a control processing circuit 100used in the above-mentioned another embodiment of an information displayapparatus 1 with proximity detection performance according to theinvention. The group of point electrodes is formed as to haveconfiguration of m lines by n columns. In a case of FIG. 18, m=n=18. Theoutput terminals 28A1 through 28Mn respectively derived from a pluralityof the point electrodes are connected to input terminals of multiplexer(MPX) 110 and any frequency components obtained by the output terminals28A1 through 28Mn are supplied to the MPX 110. To the MPX 110, r numbers(=p*q) of frequency to voltage conversion circuits 120A1 through 120Arare connected. Herein, m*n>>r, in this embodiment, r=9.

The MPX 110 switches its inputs at a high speed. In other words, anyhigh speed scanning is performed. This enables the frequency componentscorresponding to the point electrodes to be assigned to any frequency tooutput stage in the frequency to voltage conversion circuits 120 thatare much limited in number as compared with numbers of the input.Because of r=9, the frequency components obtained by all of the pointelectrodes of at least two columns are successively processed by onefrequency to voltage conversion circuit 120.

In other words, if the detection resolution is highest in the thirddetection space S3, one frequency to voltage conversion circuit 120handles the point electrodes of 2 by 18, which is of two columns. If thedetection resolution is middle in the second detection space S2, onefrequency to voltage conversion circuit 120 handles the point iselectrodes of 2 by 9, which is thinned out of two columns. If thedetection resolution is lowest in the first detection space S1, onefrequency to voltage conversion circuit 120 handles six pointelectrodes, which corresponds to a first of two columns, obtained bythinning-out up to a quarter. By such the conversion based on the highspeed switch processing, information from all of the point electrodescan be converted to voltage by limited number of any circuits.

These frequency to voltage conversion circuits 120 also have a gainadjustment function, thereby enabling output gains to be automaticallyadjusted based on the detection spaces.

After the frequency components have been converted to the voltage, A/Dconverters 130A1 through 130A8 convert the voltage to digital datarespectively and the digital data is supplied to a data-processing unit140 constituted of a microcomputer.

The data-processing unit 140 supplies the MPX 110 with a high-speedswitching signal Sc. The data-processing unit 140 also supplies theserespective frequency to voltage conversion circuits 120 with a gainadjustment signal Sg corresponding to the detection spaces. This enablesthe data-processing unit 140 to obtain pieces of the detectioninformation successively from the corresponding point electrodes 28 tospecify the detection spaces and the contact point. An output (detectionoutput) is then supplied to the above-mentioned display element 12through an output terminal 150 as a control signal.

Although the embodiments of the information display apparatus 1 withproximity detection performance according to the invention haveintegrally configured so that the sensor 20 can be adhered to thesurface of the display element 12 in the above embodiments, thisinvention is not limited thereto. The information display apparatus 1with proximity detection performance may have a configuration such thatthe sensor 20 can be separated to the display element 12.

Such the information display apparatus 1 contains a sensor 20, a controlprocessing circuit 100 to which the sensor 20 supplies its output, and adisplay element 12 to which the control processing circuit 100 suppliesits detection output. Relative to the display element 12, only a displaypanel is illustrated for convenience. The detection output is notsupplied directly to the display element 12, but to animage-display-processing system, not shown, thereby enabling any controlto be realized corresponding to the detection output.

The control processing circuit 100 may be integral with the sensor 20 orthe display element 12, or separated from them. In the followingdescription, an embodiment such that the control processing circuit 100is separated from them will be described. As the detection electrodesused for the sensor 20, transparent wired electrodes or point electrodesare used.

As the display panel, an LCD display element or an organic EL displayelement may be used. In the following description, a case where theorganic EL display element constituted of transparent material, throughwhich a back side can be seen on its non-display state, is used will beillustrated.

The following will describe uses (used examples) of the informationdisplay apparatus 1 in which the control processing circuit 100 isseparated from the sensor 20 or the display element 12 with reference toFIGS. 25 through 29.

FIG. 25 shows a first use thereof. In the first use, the informationdisplay apparatus 1 is used for advertisement of an article displayed orexhibited in a shop window. Accordingly, the sensor 20 is arranged at aposition, from which an approach of a walker can be detected, in a frontglass (transparent glass) 204 of the shop window 202, which is installedin a wall of a building 200. The display element 12 is positioned at aposition meeting an eye level of the walker.

Since a back side of the display element 12 can be seen through thedisplay element 12 on its non-display state, the article displayed orexhibited in the shop window 202 can be seen through the display element12.

In order to make it easy to detect the approach of the walker working ona footpath, as shown in FIG. 26, the sensor 20 may be positioned at aposition of the front glass 204 under the middle thereof and the displayelement 12 is positioned an appropriate position of the front glass 204over the sensor 20.

In order to enable the detection of the approach of the walker to bemade easy, the minimum interval between the point electrodesconstituting the sensor 20 is set to relatively wider one. In thisembodiment, it is set to about 10 through 20 cm and the numbers of theelectrodes are set to about 10 and arranged in matrix. This enables thefirst detection space S1 to be expanded up to about 40 through 80 cmfrom the front glass 202, thereby enabling an intentional approach ofthe walker to the ship window 202 to be sufficiently detected. If so,the second detection space S2 becomes about 20 through 40 cm.

When it is determined that the walker approaches to the first detectionspace S1, an image for presentation of the exhibited article, forexample, wear, is displayed on the display element 12. Simultaneously,this article may be presented by sound. When it is determined that thewalker approaches to the second detection space S2, it is switched to animage for presentation of contents in the exhibited article. When it isdetermined that hand of the walker touches the front glass 204 relativeto the sensor 20, it is switched to an image indicating, for example, aprice of the article. Such the image control enables any new interactivedisplay to be realized.

Even if the information display apparatus 1 with proximity detectionperformance is applied to the shop window 202, it is possible for thewalker to approach to the shop window 202 from either right or left ofthe building 200. In this case, if the shop window 202 has a largeexhibition space, two information display apparatuses 1, 1 may berespectively positioned at positions of the front glass 204 of the shopwindow 202 near the right and left ends of the front glass 204, as shownin FIG. 27.

This allows a walker who approaches to the shop window 202 from any ofright and left of the building 200 to be surely and rapidly detected.This also allows plural walkers who approach to the shop window 202 fromboth right and left of the building 200 to be detected. FIG. 28 shows avariation of the case shown in FIG. 27. In the variation, two sensors20, 20 are positioned at right and left positions of the front glass 204and a common display element 12 is positioned at a position of the frontglass 204 over the sensors 20, 20.

FIG. 29 shows a case where an embodiment of the information displayapparatus 1 with proximity detection performance according to theinvention is applied to an automatic door 210 using transparent glass.Any touch sensors have been widely used in the automatic doors so thatif a user touches the touch sensor installed in the automatic door byhis or her hand, the door opens. The door, however, is not opened unlessthe user touches the touch sensor by his or her hand. It is conceivablethat any person might enter into a building in spite of the fact thatthere is glass because of transparent glass.

By taking it into consideration, the automatic door 210 shown in FIG. 29uses the above-mentioned information display apparatus 1 in place of thetouch sensor. The information display apparatuses 1, 1 are positioned atpositions of right and left doors 212, 214 near their ends contactingeach other. The information display apparatus 1 in which the displayelement 12 is integral with the sensor 20 is used.

It, however, is preferred in design that the display element 12 isconstituted of transparent member such as an organic EL display element.As the detection electrodes used in the sensor 20, the wired electrodesor the point electrodes may be used. Since it is preferred that thefirst detection space is of 30 through 40 cm from a surface of the door,the electrodes are so arranged as to be suitable therefor. A size of theinformation display apparatus 1 is slightly larger than that of thesensor.

The information display apparatus 1 acts as a sensor device togetherwith any warning display. When it is determined that a user approachesto the first detection space S1, the display element 12 first displayspresence of the glass of the automatic door 210 as warningrepresentation and an advice for touching the sensor 20. Any sound maybe used together it.

When it is determined that the user approaches to the second detectionspace S2, the display element 12 displays only an advice for touchingthe sensor 20. Any sound may be used together it.

When it is determined that the user touches the sensor 20, which is thethird detection space S3, an announcement that the door will open withthe display being kept as it is and to a driving control unit in theautomatic door, any instruction to open the door is supplied. In thismoment, the door opens. This enables automatic opening of the door to berealized without any danger.

The embodiments of the information display apparatus with proximitydetection performance according to the invention are applicable to adisplay device for interface display screen used in various kinds ofvending machines or a gasoline service station, a display device forcontrol panel installed in any transportation such as a vehicle and anairplane, a display device for touch panel used for presentation of thearticle exhibited in a shop window, a display device for an automaticdoor, and a display device for a personal computer or a game machine.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A display apparatus with proximity detection, theapparatus comprising: a transparent front surface; a sensor mounted onthe transparent front surface at a position to detect an approach of auser, the sensor constituted of plural detection electrodes detecting athree-dimensional position corresponding to a two dimensional plane anda space perpendicular to the two dimensional plane; a display element,mounted on the transparent front surface above the sensor, displaysinformation to the user; and a control unit controls the display elementand the sensor, wherein the control unit controls the display elementsuch that when the sensor detects the user is within a firstpredetermined range from the sensor, the display element displays firstinformation, when the sensor detects the user is within a secondpredetermined range from the sensor, which is closer to the sensor thanthe first predetermined range, the display element displays secondinformation, and when the sensor detects the user touches thetransparent front surface relative to the sensor, the display elementdisplays third information.